IndependentsFeb 01, 2022
Longtime Industry Editor Rob Bates Releases Second Mystery Book IndependentsMay 25, 2022
Designer Theo Fennell Has Written a Memoir
“I Fear for This Boy” takes readers through the ups and downs of his business and is available for pre-order now.
Jewelry and silverware designer Theo Fennell, left, is now an author too. His memoir, “I Fear for This Boy,” is available for pre-order.
London—Theo Fennell is known for his incredible one-of-a-kind pieces that fuse quality, creativity, and, in some cases, a bit of humor.
They are, essentially, little works of art. (See: the Stonehenge ring he made for the 2020 Summer Solstice, and his Jack the Ripper letter opener.)
Now, the jewelry and silverware designer has funneled his creativity into another art form well-known to the members of his immediate family—writing—and will be releasing a memoir this summer.
“I Fear for This Boy: Some Chapters of Accidents” is described as a “comic classic” that takes readers through the failures Fennell has endured as a business owner, describing them with “panache and honesty.”
Fennell was born in Moascar, Egypt, to an army family, and lived all over the world as a young boy.
He attended boarding school from the age of 5 and, later, went to the Byam Shaw School of Art in London.
He’s been designing since the mid-1970s and opened a store on London’s Fulham Road in 1982, though he’ll be relocating his flagship soon due to rising rents, Professional Jeweller reported.
“I Fear for This Boy” is 288 pages. It is available for pre-order now in hardback ($31.50) or e-book form ($24.50).
Related stories will be right here …
They are, essentially, little works of art. (See: the Stonehenge ring he made for the 2020 Summer Solstice, and his Jack the Ripper letter opener.)
Now, the jewelry and silverware designer has funneled his creativity into another art form well-known to the members of his immediate family—writing—and will be releasing a memoir this summer.
“I Fear for This Boy: Some Chapters of Accidents” is described as a “comic classic” that takes readers through the failures Fennell has endured as a business owner, describing them with “panache and honesty.”
Fennell was born in Moascar, Egypt, to an army family, and lived all over the world as a young boy.
He attended boarding school from the age of 5 and, later, went to the Byam Shaw School of Art in London.
He’s been designing since the mid-1970s and opened a store on London’s Fulham Road in 1982, though he’ll be relocating his flagship soon due to rising rents, Professional Jeweller reported.
“I Fear for This Boy” is 288 pages. It is available for pre-order now in hardback ($31.50) or e-book form ($24.50).
Fennell, 70, resides in London with his wife, Louise, a screenwriter and author of “Dead Rich” and “Fame Game.”
The couple has two daughters, fashion designer Coco Fennell and actor, writer, and director Emerald Fennell.
Emerald played Camilla, Duchess of Cornwall in “The Crown” and wrote and directed the 2020 movie “Promising Young Woman,” winning the Oscar for Best Original Screenplay.
Editors' Picks
Sponsored by
More on Independents
The Latest
PodcastsJul 22, 2026
Episode 7: Reinhold Jewelers on the Power of RelationshipsMildred Marcano Abrams and Yael Reinhold join the podcast to talk community connections, holiday plans, and preserving Reinhold’s legacy.
Policies & IssuesJul 22, 2026
Trump to Put 50% Tariff on Canadian Goods The higher tax is set to go into effect in August and will apply to loose polished diamonds as well as precious and base metals jewelry.
CollectionsJul 22, 2026
Monica Rich Kosann’s High Jewelry Is FruitfulThe “Enchanted Garden” series features a cherry, lemon, and pear that each hold a little secret inside.
Brought to you by
Wedding Band Trends 2026: Personalization Takes Center StageColored gemstones, artisan finishes, mixed metals, and meaningful details are shaping demand in bridal jewelry.
Events & AwardsJul 22, 2026
NY Now Returns in August Under New OwnershipThe show, recently acquired by Rockview Management Group, will be held at New York City’s Javits Center from Aug. 2-4.
Weekly QuizJul 17, 2026
This Week’s QuizTest your jewelry news knowledge by answering these questions.
ColumnistsJul 21, 2026
Sherry Smith: Shattering the Illusion of the ‘Either/Or’ Diamond MarketSmith offers retailers guidance on creating an environment where natural and lab-grown diamonds can both thrive.
Events & AwardsJul 21, 2026
Apollo Funds Completes Emerald AcquisitionFormer Emerald President and CEO Hervé Sedky has transitioned to the role of senior advisor.
Brought to you by
Building the Future of Jewelry Retail: DCA Expands Education, Leadership Development, and Workforce SolutionsDCA is preparing the next generation of professionals by supporting workforce development, leadership growth, and career advancement.
CollectionsJul 21, 2026
Graff’s New Butterfly High Jewelry Brooches MetamorphosizeThe 12-piece capsule collection transforms from brooches to pendants.
SourcingJul 21, 2026
Anglo Reportedly Selects Gareth Penny’s Consortium as Top Bidder for De BeersA Botswana government official told lawmakers Anglo has selected The Global Diamond Consortium, an entity chaired by Penny, to buy De Beers.
Policies & IssuesJul 20, 2026
Tariffs on Brazil to Increase But Rough Gemstones ExemptThe new tariff, imposed after a Trump administration study, is 25 percent and will stack on top of existing tariffs.
CollectionsJul 20, 2026
Vhernier Transforms ‘Freccia’ Collection Into High JewelryThe collection from 2014 has been reinterpreted into high jewelry with its signature triangular-shaped elements.
MajorsJul 20, 2026
Krista Collins Walters Promoted to Publisher of InstoreShe will also take on the role of vice president of jewelry for SmartWork Media, a newly created position.
Events & AwardsJul 20, 2026
TJS Accepting Speaker Proposals for 2027 EventOrganizers are looking for presentations on topics like manufacturing, technology and research, bench work, gemstones, and sustainability.
CollectionsJul 17, 2026
HOWL Taps Shailene Woodley for ‘Home Sweet Home’ CampaignWoodley is seen in the campaign wearing our Piece of the Week, the “Frida” collar featuring 13 pieces of hand-carved Venetian glass.
SourcingJul 17, 2026
U.K. Woman Pays £5 for £15K Diamond Ring at Car Boot SaleA WeBuyVintage jewelry expert uncovered how much the flea market find was actually worth.
SourcingJul 17, 2026
Diamond Dealer Jeff Pancis Pens MemoirThe founder of natural colored diamond wholesaler Pancis Gems shares stories from his five decades in the industry.
Events & AwardsJul 17, 2026
Gem Awards Opens 2027 Nomination PeriodSubmissions for the milestone 25th annual Gem Awards will be accepted across three categories from now through July 31.
EditorsJul 16, 2026
Q&A: Guzema’s Co-Owners On Its US Expansion, 10-Year AnniversaryValeriya Guzema and Mariana Lenha look back on the last decade and discuss the Ukrainian brand’s first U.S. store.
SourcingJul 16, 2026
Ekati to Close, Leaving Canada With One Diamond Mine The diamond mine, which opened nearly 30 years ago in Canada’s Northwest Territories, is expected to shut down by mid-August.
FinancialsJul 16, 2026
Richemont’s Jewelry Sales Soar for the Seventh Quarter in a RowJewelry sales for the company, which owns Cartier, Van Cleef & Arpels, Vhernier, and Buccellati, rose 21 percent in the first quarter.
Events & AwardsJul 16, 2026
MJSA Mentor & Apprenticeship Program Certifies First Advanced Apprentice GraduateThe graduate, Grace Barden, credited the program with helping her secure a job as a bench jeweler.
Events & AwardsJul 16, 2026
Jewelers of Louisiana to Host 80th ConventionThe event, scheduled for next month in New Orleans, will include dinner, a custom jewelry design contest, and education sessions.
SourcingJul 15, 2026
1,305-Carat Diamond Recovered from Mine in BotswanaThe yet-to-be named stone is the 10th diamond weighing more than 1,000 carats to come out of Lucara’s Karowe mine.
FinancialsJul 15, 2026
Watches of Switzerland’s US Sales Jump 18%, Declines to Comment on Sale Report The watch and jewelry retailer had a strong fiscal year despite what its CEO described as a “complex operating backdrop.”
Events & AwardsJul 15, 2026
Hamptons Jewelry Show to Return in JulyThe open-to-the-public luxury jewelry and timepiece show, in its second year, is slated for July 23-26.
CollectionsJul 15, 2026
Pomellato’s New High Jewelry Is LiberatingBold color, expressive gem-setting, and sculptural form define the three chapters that make up “Stile Libero.”
